Laguna ex-governor ER Ejercito’s indictment upheld

The Office of the Ombudsman has upheld the indictment of former Laguna Gov. Jeorge “ER” Ejercito and eight others over the collection of P3 million in insurance fees from tourists and boatmen when he was still the mayor of Pagsanjan town in 2008.

Also facing charges for violation of Republic Act No. 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, were municipal councilors Crisostomo Vilar, Arlyn Lazaro-Torres, Terryl Gamit-Talabong, Kalahi Rabago, Erwin Sacluti, Gener Dimaranan and Ronaldo Sablan.

Marilyn Bruel, the registered owner of First Rapids Care Ventures (FRCV), was also included as private respondent in the case.

Ejercito, a character actor-turned-politician, was unseated by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in May 2014 for election overspending during the 2013 elections.

He is now seeking his former post under the United Nationalist Alliance of Vice President Jejomar Binay against incumbent Gov. Ramil Hernandez, the former vice governor who had replaced Ejercito when he was disqualified by the Comelec.

In a statement, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales said Ejercito and the others violated the law when they entered into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with FRCV regarding the insurance policies of boatmen and tourists visiting the Pagsanjan Falls without conducting a public bidding.

“Despite being disqualified and without the requisite public bidding, respondent Estregan proceeded to enter into and execute the MOA with FRCV,” Morales said.